Special Edition

Welcome to our second of two special edition, wellness-focused newsletters we’ve put together to kick off 2024.

4 daily habits to manage stress

People in a blue room with curtains. They are sitting cross-legged on yoga mats with their eyes closed.

Small groups can also allow for individualized coaching. | Photo by Neil Craver via Lotus Yoga Academy

Take a deep breath, Winston-Salem. A 2022 study showed 55% of Americans report feeling stressed during the day. While some levels of stress are unavoidable, there are daily activities we can add to our routines to alleviate and manage it.

Here are four healthy habits that can help combat stress:

Step outside

Fresh air and sunlight can do wonders for our stress levels and overall well-being — so grab your coat and head to a local walking trail. Exposure to sunlight is said to increase the brain’s release of serotonin, a mood-boosting hormone.

The colder months mean less sunlight, which can drastically affect mood. Pro tip: If you’re struggling to head out for your morning walk (or the temps just won’t allow it), a sun lamp, which is meant to simulate a daily dose of sunshine, could be a good addition to your routine.

Write it down

When in doubt, write it out. Keeping a daily journal to make note of your feelings is a proven way to relieve stress and get stressors off your mind. Is your pen at the ready? Choose from blank journals or a themed guided journal to add to your morning or nightly routine.

Develop a meditation practice

Meditation can be used as a way to check in with yourself and restore balance. From guided meditations to sitting in silence, meditation offers a host of benefits — including stress relief.

If a “moving meditation” is more your speed, strolling through a local museum can be a great way to clear your head.

Stretch it out

Whether you prefer to take breaks at your desk throughout the day or roll out your yoga mat in the morning or evening (or all of the above), stretching can help eliminate stress that manifests in our bodies (think: tense shoulders, stiff or tight muscles, etc.). Check out these seven stretches to add to your routine, or try out a yoga class at one of these local studios.

More ways to combat stress in 2024

Asked

What’s your preferred stress management strategy?

A. Getting active with exercise
B. Jotting it down in a journal
C. Setting aside time to stretch
D. Slowing down with a mindful meditation
E. Other

Let us know how you restore balance

News Notes

Drink

Did you know? Your brain and your gut are said to be directly linked, and a healthy gut can help improve your mood. Enter: Olipop, a new kind of soda packed with gut-boosting goodness.

Wellness

Breathing exercises can go a long way for stress management, helping to slow your heartbeat and lower blood pressure. Want to give it a try? Check out these five breathing techniques you can do at your desk, on your couch, or wherever you happen to be reading this.

Try This

Want to try yoga but aren’t sure where to start? Show up to an “Approachable Yoga” session at Footnote Coffee and Cocktails on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 10 a.m. The one-hour class costs $10 at the door + includes a coffee or beer after class.

Learn

Interested in building your own mindfulness practice? This card deck has 100 mindfulness exercises to add to your routine.

The Wrap

From the editor:

Good afternoon Winston-Salem. We are thrilled to bring you another special edition weekend wellness newsletter. We know managing stress isn’t as easy as indulging in a hot bath or time alone. Forming self-care habits takes time and dedication. We hope you’ll do it for yourself because you deserve it.

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